Random Musings

Just a place to chat about things. Mostly music based. I like stuff, lets share.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Yet Another list...

This weeks list was "Performers I'd bring back to life". We decided to omit classical composers just to make things less pretentious. As always the list is not in order, but the top few I think really are in order.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Boston - Earth Fest this weekend!

The 18th Annual Radio 92.9 EarthFest will return to DCR’s Hatch Memorial Shell in Boston on May 21st, 2011 with a line-up that includes LIVE’s Ed Kowalczyk, OK Go, Sponge and Atomic Tom. Presented by Whole Foods Market, the free festival is a celebration for the Earth, showcasing national and local music acts, environmentally friendly products and local non-profit environmental organizations. Performances on the main stage will begin at 11:30 a.m.

More than 100,000 people are expected to attend the festival, which will feature environmental activities, educational displaces, exhibits and more, designed to raise awareness information about different environmental issues facing the planet. Casella Waste Systems will manage a comprehensive recycling program onsite and Mass Bike will be onsite staffing a free bike-valet program, offering concertgoers an alternative to driving to the festival.

The 18th Annual Radio 92.9 EarthFest is accessible by MBTA. Concertgoers can take the Green Line to Arlington Street or take the Red Line to Charles Street / MGH. For more information about the 18th Annual Radio 92.9 EarthFest, listen to Radio 92.9 FM or visit www.earthfest.com.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Hey Rosettta! set to play Great Scott in Boston May 25th

Heads up Boston area music lovers. The Canadian Orchestral Indie Rockers Hey Rosetta! are doing a short US tour and they hit Great Scott on Wednesday May 25th.

I fell in love witht he bands latest cd "Seeds" when I did a review over on Visible Voice. Thrilled I get the chance to see them in what is sure to be the smallest venue in the area they will ever play again.

Check out the Great Scott web site for all your ticket neeeds. Doors are at 9 and Hey Rosetta! is due on around 11. Tickets are just $10 and the show is 18+.

Manchester Orchestra - Lupos Providence May 13, 2011

“This is not the Vans Warped Tour” singer Andy Hull called from the stage early in to Manchester Orchestras fourteen song set. Over zealous fans towards the front decided pogo dancing needed to roll in to a little more of a “mosh pit” during “Shake it Out”. Hull didn't stop the show, but made his point clear and the audience were then treated to a powerful set of music pulling from each of the bands three full length records.

The five piece made seemingly quick work of the songs, keeping banter to a minimum they kept their focus on the perfect and strong delivery of the songs. Keyboard and percussionist Christopher Freeman who was off to Hulls left would rotate through his instruments of keyboard, tambourine to floor tom with animated and spastic freak outs. Freeman and guitarist Robert McDowell would sing the harmonies and choruses when needed. Bassist Jonathan Corley held the stead bottom and was just as animated as the rest.

The Lupos crowd, smaller than expected, was ravenous and did what they could to give everything back to the band. Hull seemed a little distracted, or frustrated the theater didn't have anyone in the balcony. He shouted “how is everyone in the balcony??..oh yeah we didn't sell enough tickets”. Self depreciating humor perhaps but the band had the audience in the palm of their hand. The audience would clap, jump and sing along. “My Friend Marcus” was a giant sing along with fist pumps and accents on the downbeats.

Hull kept his humor. At one point some audience members close to the stage were clapping along and Hull looked at them (when the audience was not joining in) and said “well that is not going so well, so you can stop”.

The set seemed to end suddenly though. Hull had noted a few minutes before he was not going to do the song “I've Got Friends”. Instead the band jammed a few minutes and everyone left the stage for Hull and Freeman, who both then walked off. The band did not return and the lights came up.

Even with the odd ending the band is well worth your time to check out. The rhythm section is very tight, Freeman is a blast to watch and Hull has a powerful and soaring vocal ability. This band is well worth your time. Catch them live now before the truth of their excellent live shows hit the masses.

* I did this same review for Visible Voice but that looks glossier with some sample tunes and an awesome YouTube clip. Hope you click around, "like",comment etc. Thanks for reading..really!!

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

We love our lists....

I stumbled upon a sorta music dorky book a few months ago. It simply is/was called"Music Listography...Your Life in Play List". You can read more about the whole project over at Listography.com (I bought mine at Urban Outfitters I think) and got my buddy Dim one from amazon for a holiday gift.

We are both dorks..and music dorks too so I thought it would be fun if each of us picked a subject from the book and we'd have to write our thoughts and commit to them in the book. So we started last week, with our first "update" due this week.

This weeks list is "Favorite Soundtracks". We have made little rules like you can have no more listed than lines on the page (20) and if there is a part 1 and 2 to a soundtrack they need to be counted on their own, they can not be listed as one item. Dim is upset because he has Grease 1 and 2 and he is stuck...anyway..to add a little more content here I'll post my lists..and perhaps dim will do the same.

The book has various topics like "Best Duets" to "Best Instrumentals" (sorta hard when you like Post Rock) as well as stuff like best guitar, bass, drummer and covers "make out songs", "Songs for your funeral".

Thursday, May 5, 2011

The big news...

Okay, so I am a day later than expected.

I am happy to let my few readers here know that I am now going to be doing some writing over at VisibleVoice. This is a web site I came upon recently and decided to reach out to see if they were looking for any help.

Not 100% sure what I will be doing but I have already done a review. It is currently on the main page and it is a cd review for a band called Hey Rosetta!. It was fun to do, and I really did like the cd very much.

Hoping I'll be able to do more for sure. Rumblings of live show reviews and maybe even hosting shows I record. Baby steps, but so far I am pleased.